Suction forming paper machine



Nov. 4, 1 958 I J. E. GOODWILLIE 2,858,746

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SUCTION FORMING PAPER MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Era IZZQT h (101111 E. GooawL/Iie I J. E. GOODWILLIE SUCTION FORMING PAPER MACHINE Nov.4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 1, 1955 EYE mf -2' O/m E. GoodarZ/Zie a streaked condition in the finished paper.

United States Patent Ofi ice 2,858,746 Patented Nov. fl, 1958 SUCTION FORMING PAPER MACHINE John E. Goodwillie, Beloit, Wis., assignor to Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February -1, 1955,'Serial No. 485,366

11 Claims. 01. 92-44 This invention relates to improvements in the paper forming-operation of paper machines, and more particularly, to an improved suction forming apparatus.

In prior paper forming machines, it has not beenpossible to deliver a stock and water flow from any known slice or distributor arrangement without the presence of certain sidecurrents which are powerful enough to cause This streaked condition is particularly noticeable in light weight free sheets, such as facial and toilet tissues, causing areas of extremely low strength, improper creping where the light weight sheets are to be creped, and unevenly finished rolls of paper. Heretofore, in order to overcome this condition, the top slice lip has been moved down wire from the breast roll center line to practice .a high degree of pressure formation. Oftentimes, the slice lip was positioned four inches to five inches toward the dry end of the machine from the breast roll center line, wherein such an arrangement would cause substantially complete formation ofthe sheet before the wire passed out from under the slice lip, since most of the free water, which might cause streaks, was removed in front of the slice lip. However, the sheet was then formed on the fast moving wire from a pond of stock whichhad littleor no velocity in the wire direction, thereby drawing out pulp fibers in p the wire direction producing the well known one directional strength sheet. As is known in the paper manufacturing field, sheets with high one directional strength are objectionable, because they tend to split while being used or while being drawn from a dispenser.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to obviate the above named difliculties and provide an improved paper making machine which is capable of producing a formed sheet free from a streaked condition and a high one directional strength condition.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a paper forming machine which forms a sheet that may be more evenly dried, more uniformly creped, and wherein the finished rolls of this paper is of uniform diameterand hardness.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of a paper forming apparatus for paper machines which will permit substantial increases in machine speeds.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a former for a paper machine having a relatively large suction forming area, wherein only very low vacuums are necessary within the former to accomplish the desired accelerated removal of water.

Another object of this invention lies in the provision of a former for a paper machine having a large suction forming area, wherein only very low vacuums are required so that the power for maintaining the vacuum may be much lower, and a vacuum pump may be of the centn'fugal bl wer type instead of the more expensive vacuum pumps heretofore used for effecting vacuums in paper machine installations.

Another "feature of this invention resides in the provision of a paper making machine having a suction forming area on a forming wire, and a device for collecting the water obtained by dewatering the stock traveling on the forming wire and maintaining a vacuum indhe-forming area.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a paper or web forming machine having a large suction forming area associated with 'a traveling wire, and side sealing arrangements for the lateral .edges ofthe :Wire eifectively :preventing undue leakage from the vacuum chamber of said forming area.

Other objects, features, and advantages of ithistinvem tion will be apparent from the following detailed disclosures, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which: I

Figure l is a diagrammatic view embodying the general principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational 'view of the present invention;

Figure 3 -.is a sectional .elevational view'of-the embodiment of Figure 2, taken substantially alongthe longitudinal axis thereof;

Figure 4 is a broken end elevational view-of the header of Figure 2, takensubstantially along line #IV-JV of Figure 2, with lower portions of the downspouts-added to illustrate the manner in which they are sealed below the Water level in the wire pit;

Figure 5 is a'top plan view, taken substantially in accordance with line VV of 'Figure 2, showing'one side of the wire sealing arrangement and portions of-other elements in their relative ;positions; j v

Figure 6 is a side elevational view, -with some parts omitted, of the ,-present invention provided with a modi fied wire side sealing arrangement;

Figure 7 is a top elevational view'of the embodiment of Figure 6 showing .oueof thesides sealing means;

Figure 8 is a sectional elevational -view taken substantiallyalong line VIIIVI1I of Figure 6; and

Figure 9 is a partial end elevational view taken substantially along line -IXIX of Figure '6.

Referring to Figure 1, a forming wire '10 istrained over a closed or plain breast roll 1'1,an open faced table roll 12 and a second closed table roll 13. The open faced roll -12 has a structure-of a dandy type table roll in-the central portion thereof, "but it-is solid .at either'end thereof, the solid portions at the end being aligned with the outer edges of the web being formed'on the wire 10. A first deflector 14 is positioned between the breast roll blend the open faced table roll 12, and asecond 'deflector 15 is positioned between the open faced :table=roll 12 and the'second table roll '13. A-save all 16 located at the bottom of the assembly has an exhaust duct.-17 connected thereto'and is provided with a sealing arrangement 18 so as to effect sealing engagement "between the save all 16 and the breast roll 11. Also, a flexible sealing joint 9 provides .a sealed connection between the save all and the sec-0nd deflector means .15. A head box 19 discharges stock unto theWire 10 as the wire'passes over the top of the breast roll 11. Sealing means (not shown) extends along the lateral edges of the wire 10 fromthe head box 19 to approximately the location of the-second deflector 15 so as to efiectively seal the Opposite edges of the traveling wire '10 over this region. Such sealing means will, of course, cooperate with the solidend portions of .the open faced roll 12. Otherwise, the central portion of the open faced roll permits water to be drawn directly therethrough and to the save all 16. The -suction areain this arrangement thusextendsfrom the breast roll 11 to the second deflector 15, was to includetherein the open faced roll 12. It is seen that the open faced roll 12 is employed was to reduce the-over all deflection of the wire and also permit a substantial suction area acting upon the underside thereof, and dewatering of the stock supported by the wire 10 can take place during the passage of the'wire over the top of the open faced roll 12.

Similar numerals indicate similar parts throughout the drawing.

Now referring to the detailed embodiment of the invention in Figures 2 and 3, the reference numeral 24) indicates generally the suction forming paper machineapparatus embodying the instant invention, wherein as in Figure l the wire 10 is trained around the 'breast roll 11, the open faced table roll 12, and the closed table roll 13 to other parts of the paper making machine back over the idler roll 21 (Figure 2) to the breast roll 11. Stock is delivered over the apron board 22 and beneath a slice "23'through the opening 24 onto the traveling wire to The paper web is formed 1 through dewatering thereof and accomplished by the acform a paper web or sheet.

tion of the vacuum forming assembly 20.

Immediately after the stock has been deposited on the traveling forming wire 10, the stock is deflected downwardly and subjected to a vacuum on the underside thereof to accelerate the dewatering by the suction former 20. The head box is considered the front end of the machine and the suction area or former being on the side of the breast roll 11 away from the head box is thus behind the breast roll.

numeral 30, is secured by any well known means to the bolt and flange assembly. Access to the interior of the former 20 may be had through cover 200 inside wall 20a. The breast roll 11 is suitably mounted for rotation in bearing assembly 31 on pedestal 25, while the open faced roll 12 is rotatably mounted in the hearing assembly 32 which is secured to the side walls 20a of the former. The idler roller 21 is suitably mounted for ro tation in a pedestal bearing 33 resting on the floor F.

Defining the suction forming area of the former 20 at one end is the plain or closed breast roll 11, and

positioned behind the breast roll below the wire 10 is a deflector assembly 34 which carries deflector blades 34a and 34b arranged to be operated out of contact with the underside of the wire for catching and deflecting the initial Water flow, separating from the stock on the wire, into the save all 35. The deflector assembly 34 may be suitably adjusted for different conditions occurring on the wire 10, and is mounted in oppositely positioned sliding and pivoting bosses 36. As shown in Figure 2, the sliding boss 36 is movable along an incline in a slot of the side wall 20a, is connected to a nut and bolt adjusting assembly 37 coacting with an apertured lug 38 rigidly mounted on the side wall 20a, and pivots around the axis of shaft 39 which is operatively connected to the lever arm 40 of boss 36, such as by suitable keying means, wherein the arm 40 is selectively positioned "by adjusting means 41. Properly adjusted, the deflector assembly 34 and its deflectors 34a and 34b direct the water removed from the underside of the wire between it and the breast roll into the save all 35 below, thus avoiding the condition where the water having passed through the wire subsequently comes in contact with the upwardly moving face of the adjacent table roll 12 and is carried back upwardly through the running wire to disturb the forming of the sheet or web thereon. As shown in Figure 3, a suitable scraper blade or cleaner 42 is held in close running relationship to the rotating breast roll 11 so as to effectively remove particles of paper fibre, etc., as well as the bulk of the water which may tend to adhere to the breast roll surface prior to its subsequent engagement with a packing or sealing strip 43. The scraper blade 42 is suitably mounted on a transverse beam or bracket member 44 that extends between the side walls 20a, 20a and is suitablyv connected thereto. The packing strip 43 sealiugly engages the rotating breast roll 11 and is suitably secured in a packing gland 45 extending across the breast roll 11 near the bottom thereof. The packing gland 45 is rigidly secured to an upwardly inclined portion of the save all bottom 20b, and additionally supported in place by a partition 46 inwardly spaced from the inclined portion of the save all bottom 20b.

Directly behind the deflector assembly 34 is the open faced table roll 12 providing additional support for the forming wire 10 in the suction forming area. Between the breast roll 11 and the table roll 12 the wire 10 forms a concave are due to the weight of the stock, the tension of the wire, the inherent pumping or suction action of the breast roll, and the suction applied to the under surface of the wire.

A second deflector assembly 47 extending across the machine between the side walls 20a and below the forming wire 10 and closely associated with the open faced table roll 12 also serves to turn the water flow down into the save all 35, but more particularly is arranged for close clearance with the underside of the wire 10 to form an "approximate seal therewith. The blade of the deflector assembly 47 is rigidly secured to a cylindrical cross beam member, which is in turn afiixed to, at opposite sides, stub shafts 48 extending through the side walls 20a in sealing engagement therewith and supported on bearing assemblies 49. Keyed to the shaft 43 is a hub or boss 50 with a downwardly extending arm 51 having an end selectively positioned between adjusting members 52 in a manner well known in the art.

A horizontal -flat plate 53 extends between the side walls 20a in sealing engagement therewith, and is also attached at one side to the header 30 near the top thereof. A transversely extending sealing strip 54 of suitably flexible material i affixed to the forward end of the horizontal plate 53 and to the bracket of the deflector assembly 47 permitting the deflector assembly to have swinging movement without exposing the vacuum chamber of the former to atmospheric pressure. Thus, it is seen that the rear edge of the suction forming chamber area is defined by the deflector assembly 47, while the lateral sides are defined by the side wall 20a and a side sealing arrangement of the wire 10, generally designated as 55 (see Figure 2).

The side sealing arrangement, shown in Figures 2 and 5, comprises providing a curtain of white water under pressure to contact or just miss the edge of the traveling wire 10 in the suction forming area. Water is supplied from any suitable source by a conventional pump to an inlet pipe 56 situated in the outer vertical side of a header, 57. Looking at the header from above, as in Figure 5, it is seen that it is rectangularly shaped and the bottom is provided with a U-shaped nozzle 58 positioned along the inner side and ends of the header. The header 57 is adjustably affixed to a lateral flange of the side wall 20a and preferably extends inwardly sufliciently so that the portion of the U-shaped nozzle parallel with the edge of wire is spaced in close proximity thereabove to direct the curtain or jet of water along the very edge of the forming wire 10. The ends of the nozzle 58 provide a water curtain which will seal be tween the wire edge of the inside surface of the frame of the former. Sufficient water pressure is maintained to hold the position of the water curtain against the slight vacuum in the former. Since the wire 10 is wider than the slice opening between the pond sides 59, 59 (only one shown) at the slice 23, a stock conduit 60, supplied with a mixture of stock and water of the consistency similar to that in the head box, is used to lay a sheet of stock, on the exposed edges of the wire, so that the vacuum action will have approximately the same loading on the edges of the wire as upon the main central section.

Water separated from the stock by the de-watering process flows into the save all 35, through the opening 61 provided between the wall 46 and a short horizontal partition wall 62 which extends between the side walls a, and is supported thereby and is connected to the header 36 at 62a. Across the front lower side of the cylindrical header, opening 61 is provided for communication between the header and the save all, and elongated fins 63 vertically positioned along the bottom 2% extend longitudinally with the wire, from substantially below the suction forming area to at least partially within the header 30, thereby controlling the flow of water to the header. The water level in the save all, indicated by the numeral 64 during the normal operation of the former, is maintained above the horizontal partition wall 62 so that the opening 61 is always below the water level, and is controlled by the manipulation of disk valves 65, as shown in Figure 4.

Closing the opposite ends of the header chamber are front and back heads, 66 and 67, respectively, removably fastened thereto. A substantially semi-circular aperture or opening 66a is positioned in the front head 66 to register with a down spout or drop leg conduit 66b which extends downwardly below the header 30, and inwardly a short distance before dropping into the water of the wire pit 68. An opening or aperture 67a of the back head 67 generally corresponds to the opening 66a except being of shorter arcuate extent, as shown in Figure 3, and also registers with a down spout or drop leg conduit 67b which likewise extends laterally from the header and down and under into the wire pit 68. The water level in the wire pit 63 is maintained above the down spout outlets, as indicated by numeral 68a, provid ing a water seal therefore. As shown in Figure 4, the disk valves 65, shaped to cover the openings 66a and 67a when desired, are rigidly secured to a header shaft 69 which is mounted for rotation in bearing assemblies 70, 70 of the front and back heads. Keyed to the shaft 69 near the front head is a valve handle 71, which as shown in Figures 2 and 4 in solid lines is positioned in a substantially vertical position whereby the outer end is adjustably held between a conventional adjusting apparatus 72. The outer end of the valve handle 71 is offset with respect to its hub, and when initially setting the desired openings of the down spout valves, the handle is removed and rotated 180 along its axis, before being replaced, as shown by the dotted line handle 71a in Figure 4. After the desired opening is obtained the handle is then again removed and rotated to be replaced as shown in Figures 2 and 4 and associated with the adjusting apparatus 72.

In the upper portion of the back head 67 is a pipe connection 73 adapted to be connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) to remove the air from the header chamber 30 and maintaining a water level at the pipe 73, as indicated by the numeral 74 in Figure 3. It is seen that the resulting water leg in this chamber maintains the water level above the down spout openings 66a and 67a, thereby providing a continuous water seal with the wire pit 68.

Extending between the heads 66 and 67 and supported thereby is an approximately right angularly shaped wall 75, which is shaped at its rear end to register with a circular opening 76 in the rear head 67. Operatively connected to the circular opening 76 is a vacuum pump, preferably of the centrifugal blower type, instead of the more expensive conventional vacuum machinery, which effects a low vacuum on the underside of the wire 10 traveling between the breast roll 11 and the second deflector assembly. 47. Registering with the substantially triangular shaped chamber, defined by the angular wall 75 and a portion of the cylindrical header 30, is the vacuum former 20 by means of a plurality of. circular holes for an elongated opening cut through the upper arcuate portion of the cylindrical header 30, as designated by the numeral 77.

In the operation of the instant invention, the stock and water mixture is delivered to the plain breast roll at substantially wire speed, and the stock, flow is formed into a web or sheet on the wire as the wire leaves the breast roll. Between the breast roll 11 and the open faced roll 12, the wire 10 is deflected downwardly due to the weight of the stock flow, the inherent pumping of the breast roll 11, the wire tension, and the vacuum effected on the under side of the wire 10 between the breast roll 11 and the second deflector 47. The boundaries of the vacuum forming area of the traveling forming wire 10 include the plain breast roll crossing the wire at oneend, the deflector 47 crossing the wire at the opposite end and the vacuum side sealing means 55 at each lateral edge of the wire between said deflector and the breast roll. Since the pumping effect of the breast roll 11 is used to its maximum extent, only a very low vacuum need be effected on the suction forming area to accelerate the de-watering of the stock, and this low vacuum which may range from 0.2 to 1.5 inches of Hg and is effected by a suitable vacuum pump connected to the circular opening 76 of the header 30. As already set forth, the dual deflector assembly 34 positioned intermediate the breast roll 11 and the open faced roll 12 is preferably adjusted. to operate just out of contact of the wire 10 to divert the flow of water from the wire downwardly into the save all 35 away from the open faced roll 12 so that it may not pick up water already released from the stock and carry it back to the wire to disturb the formation of the paper sheet or web thereon. While the second deflector assembly 47 also serves to turn the water flow down into the former or save all'35, it is adjusted to run in close clearance with the wire 10 and effect an approximate seal therewith. The open faced roll 12 functions to support the wire and prevent excessive sag downwardly thereof, and the open wire construction, as described in connection with Fig. 1,

permits water to be drawn directly therethrough by the vacuum effected in the former, and such water is then of course delivered to the save all 35. In the save all 35 the water level, although shown to be at 64, may be raised or lowered by the manipulation of the disk valves 65 in the header 30 to control the vacuum in the former 20. A sight glass 78 is positioned on the exterior of the wall 20a having appropriate connections with the save all 35 to indicate where the level of the water in the save all is located. The level of the water in the save all 35 is generally maintained above the opening 61, while the level of the water in the header 30 is generally maintained somewhere above the downspout openings 66a and 67a, preferably at the level of the vacuum pipe connection 73, thereby providing a water seal between the header chamber 30 and the wire pit 68. Maintaining the water level in the save all above the opening 61 provides a water seal between the vacuum chamber and the header chamber, thereby allowing the holding of the water level 74 at a desired level by the vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the pipe 73. By adjusting the opening 66a and 67a in the header 30 to control the flow of water therefrom to the down spouts and wire pit 68, it is seen that the water flow will be relieved or backed up to set the vacuum in the former at the desired level. Hence, it is seen that with a relatively large vacuum forming area on the wire 10, wherein a formation of the pulp sheet is controlled through a relatively large portion of the wire sile strength, more even drying, and uniform creping of creped sheets. Referring now to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, an alternative side sealing arrangement, generally designated by numeral 80,for sealing the lateral edges of the traveling Fourdrinier forming wire between the plain breast roll 11 and the second deflector assembly 47, is illustrated and it is to be understood that this side sealing arrangement may be substitued for the curtain or water jet type of arrangement 55 already discussed.

This side sealing arrangement 80 generally comprises a pair of resilient elongated sealing straps or strips 81 (only one shown) of suitably flexible and friction resistant material preferably of rubber, which may be urged against the extreme lateral edges of the top side of the traveling wire 10. The rubber strip 81 extends from a point in front of the breast roll 11, being clamped to the apron board 22 by a suitable set screw clamp 82, forwardly over the top of the extreme edge portion of the wire until it is substantially over the open faced table roll 12 and near the second deflector assembly 47, The rubber strip 81 is wedged between the end flange 83 of the forming unit and a rectangular shaped vertically positioned sponge rubber pad 84 which seals the cheeking piece 85, the latter being held in place by an elongated backing plate 86 and adjustable rod assemblies 87. This sealing strip 81, preferably of solid soft rubber, coacts with the top edges of the side walls of the former for sealing engagement therewith, and is connected at its forward end to one edge of a right angle strap 88, preferably of heavy gauge stainless steel, which in turn is pivotally mounted to a supporting assembly 89 and adjustably positioned by a set screw arrangement 90. By adjustably positioning the angle plate 88, suflicient tension may be maintained on the rubber strip 81 to hold it approximately in the correct arcuate position, and the ends of the rubber strip in correct cross machine alignment as well as establishing the position with respect to the open faced table roll 12. Also assuring proper alignment of the rubber strips 81 in the cross machine direction near the deflector assembly are ledges or shoulders 91 built integral with the deflector assembly 34. The ledges are specifically associated with the second deflector blade 34b of the deflector assembly 34 and arranged to support and slightly raise the outer edges of the rubber strips 81, as shown in Figure 9, to prevent an excess downward frictional force on the edges of the wire 10. Mounted directly above the rubber strips 81 on the side walls of the former between the breast roll 11 and the open face table roll 12 are support pins or spools 92, each of which is wrapped with a resilient strap 93 extending downwardly into engagement with a portion of the rubber strip 81. The resilient straps 93 are preferably made of a suitable elastomeric material such as rubber and these resilient members individually urge the portion of these sealing straps 93 in contact therewith upwardly to decrease the contact pressure between the strip 81 and the wire 10 both of which are downwardly deflected by the operation of the vacuum load at this point. In this manner, the sealing strip 81 is retained in constant sealing engagement with the top edge of the wire at a predetermined contact pressure, thereby correctly positioning the rubber strips 81 and permitting them to rise if vacuum is lost or the stock is taken oif the wire 10.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 372,756, filed August 6, 1953, entitled Suction Forming Paper Machine Operation.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

. 1. In a web forming machine, a breast roll, a table roll of open-faced construction, a forming wire traveling over said rolls for carrying a paper web, a first deflector' disposed intermediate said rolls below said wire, a second deflector positioned behind said table roll in close running relationship with the under side of said wire to form a seal therewith and means cooperating with said breast roll and second deflector to define a suction area along the wire traveling between the breast roll and the second deflector for dewatering said web.

2. A web forming machine which comprises a breast roll, an open-faced table roll, a traveling wire trained over said rolls for carrying a paper web, a first deflector adjustably mounted in front of said table roll out of contact with the under side of said wire for deflecting the water flow from said wire, a second deflector adjustably mounted behind said table roll in close running clearance with the under side of said wire and means cooperating with said breast roll and saidsecond deflector to define a suction area along the wire traveling between the breast roll and the second deflector for dewatering said web.

3. A web forming machine which comprises a breast roll, an open-faced table roll, a forming wire trained over said rolls for'carrying paper stock, a wire pit disposed beneath said machine, means mounted behind said table roll in close running relationship with the under side of said wire to define a seal therewith, a receptacle having side means cooperating with said breast roll and said first means to define a suction area for dewatering said stock to form a paper web, a receptacle communicating with said forming area for collecting the water from the stock, valve means in said receptacle controlling the water flow to the wire pit, means for maintaining the water level above said valve means, and vacuum means coacting with said receptacle for effecting a vacuum in said forming area.

4. A web forming machine which comprises a breast roll, an open-faced table roll, a forming wire trained over said rolls for carrying paper stock, a wire pit disposed beneath said machine, means mounted behind said table roll in close running relationship with the under side of the wire to define a seal therewith, a

container with side sealing means cooperating with said breast roll and said first means to define a suction area for dewatering said stock to form a paper web, said container below said forming area receiving the water taken from the stock, said container arranged in direct sealing engagement with said suction area, valve means controlling the water flow from the container to said wire pit, means for maintaining the water level in said container above said valve means sealing it from the suction area, and exhaust means connected with said container and coacting'with said suction area to effectively reduce the pressure therein.

5. A web forming machine which comprises a breast roll, an open-faced table roll, a forming wire trained over said rolls for carrying paper stock, a wire pit disposed beneath said machine, means mounted behind said table roll in close running relationship with the under side of said wire to define a seal therewith, a container with side means cooperating with said breast roll and said means mounted behind said table roll to define a suction area for dewatering said stock to form a paper web, said container below said forming area receiving the water taken from the stock, said container arranged in direct sealing engagement with said suction area, a conduit extending from the container conducting the water to the wire pit having its discharge opening under the top surface of the water in the pit, valve means controlling the water flow from the container to said wire pit, means for maintaining the water level in said container above said valve means sealing it from the suction area, and exhaust means connected with said container and coacting with said suction area to effectively reduce the pressure therein.

6. A web forming machine which comprises a breast roll, an open-faced table roll, a traveling wire trained over said rolls for carrying a paper Web, a first deflector adjustably mounted in front of said table roll out of contact with the under side of said Wire for deflecting the water flow from said wire, and-a second deflectoradjustably mounted behind said table roll for close clearance with the under side of said wire, and suction means cooperating with said breast roll and second deflector to define the boundaries of a suction forming area for dewatering said web, a compartment of said suction means communicating directly with said area receiving the water from the wire, a wire pit below said compartment, valve means controlling the flow of water to said pit, means for maintaining the water level in said compartment above the valve means, and exhaust means connected with said compartment cooperating with the suction forming area for creating a vacuum therein.

7. A web forming machine which comprises a breast roll, an open-faced table roll, a traveling wire trained over said rolls for carrying a paper web, a first deflector adjustably mounted in front of said table roll out of contact with the under side of said Wire for deflecting the water flow from said wire, and a second deflector adjustably mounted behind said table roll for close clearance with the under side of said wire, suction means cooperating with said breat roll and said second deflector to define therebetween the boundaries of a suction area along said wire for dewatering said web, a compartment of said suction meanscommunicating with said area receiving the water from the wire, a wire pit below said compartment, valve means controlling the flow of water to said pit, means for maintaining the water level in said compartment above the valve means, exhaust means coacting with the compartment of said forming area for creating a vacuum therein, and stationary side sealing means disposed along the edges of said wire preventing leakage'of air from the forming area.

8. In a web forming machine having a breast roll, an open-faced table roll, a deflector mounted behind said table roll, exhaust means, a suction forming area disposed between said breast roll and said deflector for dewatering stock traveling on a forming wire, a receptacle forming an integral part of said exhaust directly connected to 10 said area and receiving the water from the wire, means for controlling the flow of water from said receptacle and maintaining a predetermined water level therein, and said exhaust means coacting with said receptacle 'for providing a vacuum in said forming area.

9. In a web forming machine having a suction forming area for de-watering stock traveling on a forming wire, the combination with means for sealing the lateral edges of said wire during its travel through the forming area, said means comprising a pair of stationary horizontally arranged rubber straps overlying the lateral extending edges of the wire.

10. In a web forming machine having a suction forming area for de-watering stock traveling on a forming Wire, the combination with means for sealing the lateral edges of said wire during its travel through the forming area, said means comprising a pair of stationary horizontally arranged rubber straps overlying the lateral extending edges of the wire, said straps being adjustably secured at both ends.

11. In a web forming machine, a breast roll, a table roll of open-faced construction, a forming wire traveling over said rolls for carrying a paper Web, a first deflector disposed intermediate said rolls below said wire, and a second deflector positioned behind said table roll in close running relationship cooperating with the undersurface of said wire to form an approximate seal therewith side sealing means cooperating with said breast roll and said second deflector to define a suction area along the wire traveling between the breast roll and the second deflector for de-Watering said web, and stationary means for sealing the upper portion of the lateral edges of said wire during its travel through the suction area.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,955,399 Weston Apr. 17, 1934 2,264,168 Poirer Nov. 25, 1941 2,270,465 Nash Jan. 20, 1942 2,666,370 Bachus Jan. 19, 1954 2,684,019 Hart July 20, 1954. 

